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Whincup beat van Gisbergen off the start-line and forced the Kiwi to concede going into turn one. The six-time series champion skipped clear as the New Zealander had to defend from countryman McLaughlin behind.

The red flag came out on the third lap when Jason Bright's Holden went spearing off the track at the entry to the pits and collected the wall. There was significant damage to the car and pit lane was blocked as a result. The damage was enough to end Bright's day and the team will attempt to repair the car in time for tomorrow.

Race control deemed Super Black Racing's Chris Pither was responsible for the incident and he was forced to serve a drive-through penalty.

"We got off to a good start," Super Black Racing Operations Manager Greg Hahn told herald.co.nz. "Turn nine is a tricky one and most of us know you haven't got many chances to try and overtake around the outside and Brighty was running out of room.

"There is a heavy curb on inside and the car is going to lurch to the right, which it did, and unfortunately they kissed and Brighty went off.